Outlet-box



W. H. WOOD,

OUTLET BOX.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.17. x920.

Bzztented Sept! 27, 1921.

1 iwmsa ginuc'nl'o ifiilz'a j], [4/0062 QTZ UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM HENRY WOOD, QF DAIRIEN, CONNECTICUT.

OUTLET-BOX.

Specification, of Letters Patent.

1 ,SQEQSS.

Patented Sept. 2?, i921 To all whom it may, concern Be it known that I, W ILLIAM HENRY Wool), a citizen of the United States, resid ing at Darien, in the county of Fail-field and State of Connecticut, have invented new and useful improvements in Outlet-Boxes, of which the following is a. specification.

The present invention relates to electrical appliances, and has particular reference to an inn'n'ovement in that type of devices which are known asoutlet or wall boxes.

An object of this invention is to provide an outlet box which may be quickly and easily applied to walls of buildings which are already plastered, and without injury to the plaster during the application of the box and during the preliminary work required in placing and adjusting the wires which lead into and out of the box.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide an outlet box with a supporting plate or frame to be initially secured against the plaster before the opening is cut through the same for the wiring of the box, and which plate is constructed to form a template or guide for not only determining the correct size of the opening in the plaster to receive the box, but to also protect the marginal edge of the plaster during the cutting thereof and during the fishing and other ope 'ations required in the installation of wiring in a finished wall.

The above, and various other objects and advantages of this invention will in part be described in, and in part be understood from, the following. detailed description of the present preferred embodiment, the same being illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein;

Figure l. is an outer side view of an outlet box constructed according to the present invention and as applied to a wall.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken on line 2 2, Fig. 1, with the fixture socket re moved.

Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the face plate or frame of the box.

Fig. 4 is a detailsectional view taken through the box on the line 4-4. Fig. 1f

Fig. 5 is a similar sectional view taken on the line 5-5, Fig. 1, illustrating the application of a fixture socket in the bottom oi. the box.

Referring to the drawing by numerals, l0

designates the lathing or base of a wall against which the plaster 11 is supported in the usual manner.

The outlet box of this invention embodies an attaching or frame plate 12 which is of desired configuration and which is relatively fiat. As shown in the drawing. particularly Fig. 3, the plate is of rectangular construction with a box receiving opening 13 therein providing a frame to support the box when the latter is inserted through the opening. The plate or frame 12 is provided with a suitable number of openings 1% for the reception of screws 15, or the like, adapted to be passed through the plate 12, plaster 11 and lathing 10 to support the frame or plate against the exposed surface of the plaster 11 at the desired point where the outlet box is to be positioned. It will be observed that the inner marginal edge of the opening 13 is rounded at the corners and that the said inner edge forms a guide for a cutting tool which is usually employed for forming the opening. in the plaster 11 to receive the box. This frame or plate 12 therefore serves as a template to define the size or marginal edge of the opening to be made in the finished wall.

In using the plate, it is secured against the finished wall by the screws 15, and the opening is cut through the wall to the configuration of the inner marginal edge of the plate 12. The plate the marginal edge of the plaster during the fishing operation of the electrician, and during other necessary manipulations requiring the drawing of wires and tools through the opening in the plaster.

The plate 12 is adapted to carry a box 16 formed of sheet metal or the like and which is of the desired depth and has at its forward open side a desired number of outstanding tongues 17 adapted to overlap the outer face of the plate 12. The tongues 17 are provided with openings adapted to register with o 'iening 18 formed in the frame plate 12 and to receive screws 19 or other fastening devices for rigidly SQCHIlZl" the box 16 to the frame plate. The box in is of a size adapted 12 forms. aprotector for to snugly lit in the opening 13 of the frame plate so as to seal the box in the wall when the box is inserted and secured through the plate. The box i6 is also provided with top covers 20 which comprise weakened porwhich the fix'tm es pmjec cs afford a suitable suppofl; i301 'zw'fixtuz'e, and the socket; 21 0:25 cmu'se msy m modlfied. 1n structure t0 acwmmadmi." 223ml mnous typas, such the $3,194 in combmatwn and (i own: fismaum.

ably rounded at fzhea m npemng 13 m gums. cut

it? are afer- J ec'ige of the insm'umem for cutting file waning in Hm mater.

The munded 31m; the cut-mag may be cmufiinuousiy c}; 1 over the plaster agail an the guiding efi g a? the Withmm 'interruptien 01 xubmpa shangne in @316 gem directinm 0'5 mmemen; of tha sawing imstrumem.

By use of this sutlet box; the plaster is pmbecmd, firm 700x is seat ad firmiy in the W211i and sealed therein, the cutting of the plastar is'made 835V and accurate by using the frame piam as guiuie and s1- protacior, and when insmlied, the frame plate EEIYBS t0 reinforce the plaster mam; the 0 Jening and toimpart a, neat mppaamme $0 t; e wmk v 1 31; is 0:35 mums understond that various changes msdifications may be made Wii-Elifl Him mmp m'fi -fuhg {allowing claims l. 'liim; method 0 with a wail pima in W 11i, which consists h securing tha W213 prime against; the side Hi the Wail, cutting opening in Wm to the size; and configm'mwn 01E inner marginal edge of the pizme and mating a 130:: in the evenings 01 the WEIR MK? pat'e.

2. Thai; method 015 mcuntmg omtiet 30X wifll a walhfllate in wan, fish 0013f in perinanemfiy sac-firing the WW against 511% plaster, cutting the pl 91; in the opening 23E bile W511} pfiate and woykinq the cutter aimng the marginal edge GILL the plat w gzxga the size 9i upening and to protect the Pififitfik", u, samuing :1 box thmugh me owning 0:? me wall plate and in the registering apening in @119, Wall.

An outletbm cmnprismg n, flat plate) having screw recsiving openings attachingflhe pizate against :1, plasiisred; wall, saia plats havimpmizml npening defining an opening to ginal edge of the opening; inghe plum f0rmmg a guide f0? a cuttingtool, and. 21 330-2; body 01 the configumfiion of the opening in the plate adz-lptqad to fit thereizi and extend mm the openi'ng in the Wall witzen cut, saic i $302; body havingoutstanding perti ms aft/its m Ward ei ge adapted E30 overlapthe Emmi fame of the mm plate and. pmvidad wmh mama:

for securing the projeting portions :0 EM

plate.

In wltness whvareof I haw imrmmm my hand. I Wmw.

u, Fm cut 1: we Wall and the mm- 

